A Fresh Identity for a Changing Profession
Something exciting has happened in the world of architecture. The Royal Institute of British Architects has unveiled a bold new identity by Johnson Banks that feels both modern and meaningful. It is not just a change of logo or colour. It represents a renewed confidence in the profession and the impact good design can have on people, places and the planet.
Reflecting Our Values as Architects in Exeter
At Co Create Architects, based in Exeter and working across Devon and the South West, this moment feels close to home. RIBA has always been the heartbeat of our profession, setting the standards that define quality and guiding architects to build with purpose. Seeing the organisation evolve with a fresh, forward looking identity mirrors how we approach our own work as architects in Exeter — progressive, people focused and rooted in place.
The new RIBA design feels alive with intent. The familiar red has returned with strength and warmth, the refined crest connects past and present, and the clear new typography speaks of openness and confidence. Together, it captures the balance every architect understands — the tension between heritage and innovation, craft and creativity, structure and freedom.
For us at Co Create, that balance defines how we work. We believe architecture should be intelligent and inspiring, practical yet imaginative. Our projects across Devon range from thoughtful homes to community and heritage spaces, each designed with care for context and the people who use them. The new RIBA brand embodies those same ideas. It tells the world that architecture is not only about buildings, but about belonging, collaboration and change.
Architecture in Motion
The rebrand also feels perfectly timed. The architectural profession is evolving fast, shaped by new materials, new technologies and a growing responsibility to design sustainably. As architects in Exeter, we see these shifts every day. Clients are more design aware, communities are more engaged, and there is greater demand for architecture that responds to climate and culture. RIBA’s new identity reflects this energy and encourages practices like ours to keep leading that conversation.
Why Being a RIBA Chartered Practice Still Matters
Being a RIBA Chartered Practice has always mattered to us. It represents trust, quality and professionalism. The refreshed identity gives that badge a new power, reminding clients and the public alike that architects bring depth and value that reach far beyond drawings. It reinforces the message that good architecture transforms the everyday — it creates beauty, resilience and joy.
At Co Create, we see the RIBA rebrand as a moment to celebrate how architecture connects people and place. It strengthens our shared purpose as architects in Devon, committed to shaping environments that are sustainable, thoughtful and full of character. The new identity captures what we believe in — collaboration, creativity and community — and it gives our profession a clear and confident voice for the future.
Architecture has always been about evolution. The RIBA rebrand is not a departure from tradition but a continuation of it, reimagined for a world that needs design with meaning. For us at Co Create Architects, it is both inspiring and affirming, reminding us why we do what we do — to create architecture that feels authentic, lasting and human.
